[Anti candidal activity of echinophora platyloba against candida albicans and comparison with amphotricin]

Increasing usage of medical plants for medical treatment made for this branch of complementary medicine a unique place. This study evaluated the anti candidal activity of Echinophora platyloba extracts and amphotricin B against Candida albicans by micro broth dilution assay and Disc diffusion method. The synergism between amphotricin B and ethanolic extract of E. platyloba was assessed by micro broth dilution assay. Amphotricin B was diluted at concentration between 16-0.125 micro gram ml [-1]. Each tube contains 0.78 micro gram ml[-1] E. platyloba extract. The MIC and MBC of Amphotricin B was recorded. The MIC and MBC of ethanolic extract of E. platyloba and amphotricin B against C. albicans were 3125, 1560mg ml-1 and 2, 8mg ml-1 respectively. The MIC, MBC of amphotricin B decreased to 1, 2mg ml-1 when 0.78 micro gram ml[-1] of extract was added. Amphotricin B is a potent antifungal agent and MIC and MBC of E. platyloba is 780, 390 times less potent than amphotricin B, but usage the amphotricin B and E. platyloba extract in combination increased the potency of amphotricin B which shows a synergistic effect

[Interns' viewpoints toward the stAuts of training by residents in Isfahan Univeristy of Medical Sciences]

Resident as a capable educational resource can make use of every opportunity for training interns and students. The aim of this study was to determine the interns' viewpoints toward the stAuts of their training by residents. In a descriptive cross-sectional study in educational hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 54 interns spending the last 6 months of their medical training were selected through simple random sampling. Data was gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire which was filled by interns in self-administered manner. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution, mean, and standard deviation. Mean and standard deviation of interns' viewpoints toward the training by residents in areas of knowledge, practice, individual characteristics, the most useful educational field, the process of education, and educational capabilities and responsibilities were 58.2 +/- 10.9, 66 +/- 12.5, 50.7 +/- 13.3, 64 +/- 17, 45 +/- 14.8, and 56.8 +/- 13 out of 100, respectively. Based on 70.4 percent of interns, first year residents were more motivated for training. According to interns, clinic and emergency ward were more suitable environments for training by residents while residents spent a little time on training. Interns' work load and lack of purpose and planning in residents' training were among problems mentioned by interns. The scores that interns gave to the stAuts of training by residents were in average level. The educational role of residents varies in different wards and shows that they can make better contributions to education. Holding workshops on teaching methods for residents and investigating the existing barriers for education are recommended